Abstract: Picture quality loss is minimized and buffer underflow and overflow are prevented when extracting and recombining a plurality of consecutive scenes from an MPEG stream. The smallest number of pictures (equivalent at most to 1 second) that must be re-encoded so that the scene can be independently reproduced is detected to identify the re-encoding target picture. Then the picture type (I, P, B) after the pictures are re-encoded is determined. Buffer fullness is calculated, and the code allocation to the re-encoding range is calculated from buffer fullness and target picture count. The code allocation to each target picture is then calculated, and the target pictures are re-encoded and connected.

Abstract: An instrument for the inspection of well bores includes an improved light source contained within the same pressure barrel as the camera. A low power lamp is disposed within an elliptical-shaped reflector that reflects the lamp light to a focal point distal of the reflector. Optical fibers are disposed at that focal point and conduct the light received from the lamp to form an array of light sources disposed about the camera. An annular window disposed in the line of illumination of the array of light sources directs the illumination into the field of view of the camera. The light source arrangement provides an unobstructed and illuminated field of view for the camera. Because of the increased efficiency of the light source that includes the described elliptical reflector, a self-contained power system may be used in the instrument thereby resulting in a much smaller support cable for the instrument with the ability to inspect much smaller boreholes. Standard size batteries may be used in the power system.

Abstract: A system and method for scaling a video system, such as an MPEG-2 video decoder, utilizing an improved data pruning implementation. A scalable data processing system is provided, comprising: a sequential data path for processing multimedia data, including a first processing module and a second processing module; a scalable application for scaling the second processing module; and a data pruning system positioned prior to the first processing module that causes a portion of the multimedia data associated with the scaling application to be truncated.

Abstract: Video signal processing apparatus in which at least first and second input video signals are combined to generate an output compressed video signal, the first and second video signals each having respective associated motion vectors from a data compression process applied to the video signals; comprises: means for establishing a set of the motion vectors associated with the first and second video signals which can potentially be re-used in compressing the output compressed video signal; and means for testing the set of motion vectors, the testing means being operable: (c) to define, with respect to reference images referred to by the motion vectors under test, a first border region of a predetermined width surrounding those parts of the reference images derived in part from the first video signal, and a second border region of a predetermined width surrounding those parts of the reference images derived in part from the second video signal; and (d) to test whether motion vectors of the set which are assoc

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the operation of a motor vehicle for the purposes of determining causation and fault in the event of an accident, and to enhance physical security of the vehicle utilizes electronic digital cameras strategically placed to obtain sequential images of the area immediately adjacent the exterior, and optionally the interior, of the vehicle and to record those images in an electronic memory. A command module controls operation of the cameras and changes the camera mode of operation in the event of an impact or rapid inertial change that signals a collision or other traumatic event.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for calculating estimated time stamps ìt in video distribution apparatus, MPEG-2 program encoders, multiplexers, splicers. True times Yt of a data packet number t having the linear form: Yt=Yt−1+&bgr;t, &bgr;t=&bgr;t−1+&eegr;t, with &eegr;t being a small perturbation relative to the linear relation between time and packet number. The true times of data packet number t are observed as: ot=Yt+&egr;t, where &egr;t is an observational error. The estimated time stamps are produced according to: ìt=ìt−1+&bgr;t and such that the value of &bgr;t is made dependent on the exceeding by #ot−ìt−1−&bgr;t−1 # of max[&egr;t]. The results are accurate and smooth estimated time stamps.

Abstract: A video compression method of estimating a motion vector representative of a difference between a reference frame and a current frame is described. Typically, both the reference frame and the current frame include background and foreground data. In the method a block of the current frame is selected for analysis, and a determination is made whether the block selected is a foreground block or a background block. If the block is a foreground block, then it is compared with predetermined search points in the reference frame. On the other hand, if the block is a background block, it is compared with predetermined search points in only a portion of the reference frame.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a reduced cost HDTV/SDTV video decoder are disclosed. The described joint video decoder is capable of decoding HDTV pictures at approximately the resolution of standard definition television pictures and can be used to decode HDTV and/or SDTV pictures. The described video decoder may be used as part of a picture-in-picture decoder circuit for providing picture-in-picture capability without providing multiple full resolution video decoders. The reduction in decoder circuit complexity is achieved through the use of a plurality of data reduction techniques including the use of a preparser, downsampling, and truncating pixel values.

Abstract: Coding and decoding of video images includes the use of multiple reference pictures and determining motion vector and time delay information for the video images. Video images are quantized and transmitted with the motion vector and time delay information from a first station to a second station. A new video image is predicted for display at the second station as function of the motion parameter codes and multiple reference pictures. The invention may be used in connection with a video communication and/or video conferencing system as a long-term memory predictor to improve image-coding efficiencies and motion compensation. The long-term memory prediction extends the spatial displacement utilized in block-based hybrid video coding by a variable time delay. The arrangement and method employ a proposed bit allocation scheme to provide increased coding efficiencies of the video coder.

Abstract: A security method and system for protecting movie film images from being recorded by video cameras. The system is comprised of a means to generate an infrared pattern and a means to display this infrared pattern. The infrared pattern generated and displayed is of sufficient strength such that video cameras with infrared filters can not prevent the infrared pattern from interfering with the recording. A human viewing a screen containing movie film images sees only the movie film images on the screen and does not see the infrared pattern being displayed simultaneously. Video cameras aimed to record a screen containing the movie film images, even video cameras having infrared filters, are unable to prevent the infrared pattern from interfering with recording the movie film images, and one embodiment may completely obscure the picture being recorded and render it unacceptable for even pirated distribution.

Abstract: Encoding parameters of picture and higher layers of importance to a number of applications, and encoding parameters of slice and lower layers of no importance to all applications are converted into auxiliary packets inserted respectively into a V-blanking area and an H-blanking area of a video-data signal output by a history-information-multiplexing apparatus employed in a video-decoding system. On the other hand, a video-encoding system extracts back the auxiliary packets superposed on the V-blanking area and the H-blanking area from an input base-band video signal. As a result, a technique of superposing information on data can be changed in accordance with the importance of the information and required information can be fetched with ease.

Abstract: A method of reproducing data from a recording medium, wherein each of the data includes reference time information indicating a reference time and packet information, includes the steps of rearranging the data on a time axis such that a time interval between adjacent data is equal to a difference between respective reference times indicated by the reference time information of the adjacent data, and outputting the rearranged data at an output rate equal to or greater than a data rate of the data. The packet information includes at least video packet information into which a compressed video signal data stream is divided, and audio packet information into which a compressed audio signal data stream is divided.

Abstract: A multi-media delivery system for delivering a compressed bitstream through a network to a user device includes a transcoder and a manager. The transcoder is configured to operate on the bit stream using in any one of a plurality of conversion modes. The manager is configured to selecting a particular one of the plurality of conversion modes dependent on semantic content of the bitstream and network characteristics. The system also includes a content classifier to determine the content characteristics, and a model predicator to determine the network characteristics, and user device characteristics. An integrator of the manager generates an optimal rate-quality function to be used for selecting the particular conversion model for a given available bit rate of the network.

Abstract: An electronic image distribution apparatus for distributing panoramic images is disclosed. The central feature of the system is a panoramic image server coupled to a source of panoramic image information. The source of panoramic image frames may be a panoramic image storage device or a panoramic camera system. The panoramic image server converts the panoramic image frames into a format that is more conducive for electronic transmission. Specifically, the panoramic image server extracts a subset of each panoramic image frame and compresses that subset of the panoramic image. The panoramic image server may also geometrically transform the subset of the panoramic image frame. The compressed subset of a panoramic image frame is transmitted across a transmission medium to a client system. The client system decompresses the subset of panoramic image frame and displays the subset of the panoramic image frame.

Abstract: An image acquisition and display system 10 is provided for use on a vehicle. System 10 includes a three-dimensional display and two stereo camera pairs 18, 20 and 22, 24 which are respectively mounted on the driver-side and passenger-side of the vehicle. Camera pairs 18, 20 and 22, 24 are adapted to receive images of objects located in the front of the vehicle from both sides of the vehicle regardless of the ambient light level surrounding the vehicle. A controller 14 processes the image data from cameras 18-24 and provides three-dimensional image data to display 12 which utilizes the data to display the images to the driver 52 in a three-dimensional format. A user input device 26 allows a driver 52 of the vehicle to select between camera pairs 18, 20 and 22, 24, to reposition camera pairs 18, 20 and 22, 24, and to selectively magnify and minimize images acquired by cameras pairs 18,20 and 22,24.

Abstract: Video images are processed to detect image motion among sequential images (e.g., progressive non-interlaced images of a video signal and/or interlaced fields of a video signal), each image being represented using a plurality of pixels. Exemplary embodiments replace block-based motion estimation with pixel-based motion estimation. A correlation surface is generated for every pixel in a reference image, from which a motion vector and confidence metric (i.e., a measure of confidence in the accuracy of the motion vector) are extracted for each pixel.

Abstract: A technique to provide low branch-mispredict for MPEG run length encoding. Packed data instructions are used to reorder data when loading into registers. A bitmask is then created to identify zero and non-zero values. An index is generated from the bitmask and locations of the non-zero values are determined. Subsequently, the run-length of the zeros are calculated to encode the data for output based on one of the MPEG standards.

Abstract: A variety of different types of video frame encoders can be configured with, e.g., a multimedia processing subsystem, as long as the video frame encoder conforms to the interface protocol of the subsystem. A video controller in the subsystem performs the higher-level functions of coordinating the encoding of the video stream, thereby allowing the video frame encoder to limit its processing to the lower, frame level. In particular, the video controller provides information needed by the video frame encoder to encode the current frame in the video sequence. In addition to the raw image data, this information includes the type of frame to be encoded (e.g., an I or P frame), the currently available bandwidth for encoding the current frame, the time since the previous encoded frame, the desired frame rate, and a quality measure that may be used to trade off spatial and temporal qualities.

Abstract: A Wireless Underwater Video System for obtaining live video/audio data to profile a designated area of an ocean bottom is described. The system includes a video camera enclosed in a water tight housing which produces video and audio signals which are transmitted to a transmitting buoy having a power source, electronics for conditioning the video/audio signals and a position stablizer. The conditioned video signals are then transmitted from the buoy to an observer on a platform over a radio frequency link.

Abstract: In a transcoder means are provided for implementing a simultaneous change in rate and in resolution. In a preferred embodiment means are also provided for transferring incoming motion vectors or the like directly to the output encoder. The transcoder architecture is both suited for implementation in the spatial as well as in the frequency domain.